The Minns and Albanese Labor governments are continuing to deliver better roads for the Illawarra, with work soaring ahead on the $405 million Mount Ousley Interchange project.  

The new interchange between Princes Motorway and Mount Ousley Road will improve connectivity, safety and efficiency for those travelling through the region.

Sixteen pre-cast concrete girders, each 15 metres long, now form the structure that will connect Mount Ousley Road over the heavy vehicle bypass.

A further twenty girders, ranging from 17-25 metres in length will make up the new shared path over the southbound access road.

In an effort to inspire the next generation of civil engineers and construction workers, over 40 engineering and STEM students from the University of Wollongong and Keira High School were invited on-site to watch the girders being lifted into place.

Crews will now progress the construction of these bridges with deck formwork and building of the bridge deck, shared path, approach slabs and concrete parapets.

Recent night closures of the M1 Motorway have seen extensive work carried out in the corridor, including:

  • pavement construction connecting the new safety ramp to the existing Princes Motorway
  • construction of new sign gantries to indicate the location of the new heavy vehicle safety ramp
  • drainage works to ensure that the motorway is safe to drive on during wet conditions.  

The new safety ramp, which opened in the early hours of this morning, provides a safe area for trucks and buses to gradually come to a stop if they experience brake failure while descending Mt Ousley.

Designed in line with the highest standards, the ramp features concrete barriers and a gravel base for the vehicles to gently sink into causing them to slow and stop.

The ramp is 220 metres long and five metres wide and has been designed for a B-double up to 26 metres in length. An access road has also been constructed for maintenance of the ramp and vehicle recovery.

The Mount Ousley interchange project is on track for completion in 2028.

More information is available at transport.nsw.gov.au/mountousley

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said:

“This is a significant investment in the Illawarra, improving safety and reliability on one of the region’s busiest highways.

“With key bridge structures now in place and the first heavy vehicle safety ramp now open to traffic, welcome progress on the project is now visible for all to see.

“This is an important investment from the Albanese and Minns Labor governments that will keep people and freight moving safely and efficiently in and out of Wollongong.”

NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast and Member for Keira, Ryan Park said:

“This is an important milestone for a project that will deliver safer, more reliable journeys across the Illawarra.

“Mount Ousley is the front door to Wollongong, and this interchange will make a real difference to how people and freight move through this corridor each day.

“We’re getting on with delivering the infrastructure our growing region needs.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:

“This project is building real momentum, and you can now clearly see the scale of what’s being delivered for Wollongong and the wider Illawarra.

“The new interchange will improve connectivity for motorists, freight and active transport users, while making this key gateway safer and more efficient.

“This is a critical upgrade that coupled with the Minns Labor Government’s recent $270 million commitment to improve roads near the port will support the Wollongong and the Illawarra's growth for years to come.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:

“This is a complex project on one of the Illawarra’s most important road corridors, and it’s good to see this next stage coming together.

“With the first heavy vehicle safety ramp now open, we’re putting in place a safer option for truck and bus drivers coming down Mount Ousley.

“If something goes wrong on that descent, drivers need somewhere safe to go. That’s exactly what this ramp provides.

“More than 50,000 vehicles use this route every day, including a lot of freight, so safety has to come first.

“This new interchange will deliver safer, more efficient journeys for motorists across the Illawarra.”

Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes said:

“We are working hard across all levels of government to ensure that our local road corridors are safer and more reliable.

“The opening of the new heavy vehicle safety ramp is an important step forward for safety on Mount Ousley, and it is great to see yet another element of this monumental project start to benefit the community.

“I again want to thank the community for their patience and understanding while these major works are ongoing – as the gateway to the Illawarra, this intersection is hugely important for our entire region.

“We’re focused on delivering a safer and more accessible interchange for the benefit of local people, industry and visitors alike."